Looking Ahead The Honolulu Zoo’s long-term goal is to not only rebuild healthy populations of wild Amastra intermedia, but also to expand their conservation efforts to include other imperiled snail species across the islands. This vision involves a careful balance of science, stewardship, and community engagement. Through captive breeding programs, the zoo is able to raise snails in a protected environment until they are strong enough to survive in the wild. These snails are then released into specially designed, predatorproof exclosures — safe havens that shield them from invasive threats like rats, chameleons, and the cannibal snail. Alongside these hands-on efforts, the zoo and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) are working to raise public awareness about the importance of Hawai‘i’s native snails and the unique role they play in local ecosystems. By uniting advanced conservation techniques with education and outreach, they are giving these fragile species not just a fighting chance, but a path toward a sustainable future. Photos provided by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Jack Jeffery Photography. 138 HAWAII PARENT September/October 2025
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